Legal Questions
WHAT LEGAL QUESTIONS ARE THERE?
Q. Is there any legal reason why we might not be able to marry each other?
A. If you are related to each other you might need to consider this question. For advice contact the local clergy.
Q. Can we marry in church if one of us is divorced?
A. You need to discuss this with the local clergy, but if a former marriage has been dissolved it may still be possible to marry in church.
Q. Can we marry in one of these churches?
A. You can marry in a Church of England church if you can show that one of you:
That one of your parents, at any time after you were born:
That one of your parents or grandparents:
In all cases involving church services – i.e. going to normal church services, baptism, confirmation or marriage – this applies only to Church of England services.
If you cannot demonstrate any of the above connections, you could create one, simply by attending your chosen church’s usual services at least once a month for six consecutive months. If you decide to do this, leave enough time after your attendance for the banns to be read before your wedding too – about another two months should be enough.
Q. Do we need to obtain a license to get married?
A. Under normal circumstances this will not be necessary. You get married in the Church of England after the calling of banns. (See below) Occasionally there are special circumstances which mean that a license has to be applied for. The rector will advise you.
If you have legal questions which have not been answered by the information above you should ensure that you speak to a member of the Clergy at the earliest possible opportunity.
WHAT DO WE DO NEXT?
When you have agreed with the rector on a date and time for your Wedding Ceremony you will be asked to complete a form. This form acts as confirmation of the arrangements you have made. Then you can make the rest of your wedding arrangements in confidence. You will be contacted again nearer the wedding.
There are many more legal questions answered on the legal requirements page of yourchurchwedding.org.
Q. Is there any legal reason why we might not be able to marry each other?
A. If you are related to each other you might need to consider this question. For advice contact the local clergy.
Q. Can we marry in church if one of us is divorced?
A. You need to discuss this with the local clergy, but if a former marriage has been dissolved it may still be possible to marry in church.
Q. Can we marry in one of these churches?
A. You can marry in a Church of England church if you can show that one of you:
- has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months, or
- was baptised (christened) in the parish concerned, or
- is confirmed and your confirmation was entered in the register of confirmations for a church or chapel in the parish (this will usually be the case if you were prepared for confirmation in the parish), or
- has at any time regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months
That one of your parents, at any time after you were born:
- has lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months, or
- has regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months
That one of your parents or grandparents:
- was married in the parish
In all cases involving church services – i.e. going to normal church services, baptism, confirmation or marriage – this applies only to Church of England services.
If you cannot demonstrate any of the above connections, you could create one, simply by attending your chosen church’s usual services at least once a month for six consecutive months. If you decide to do this, leave enough time after your attendance for the banns to be read before your wedding too – about another two months should be enough.
Q. Do we need to obtain a license to get married?
A. Under normal circumstances this will not be necessary. You get married in the Church of England after the calling of banns. (See below) Occasionally there are special circumstances which mean that a license has to be applied for. The rector will advise you.
If you have legal questions which have not been answered by the information above you should ensure that you speak to a member of the Clergy at the earliest possible opportunity.
WHAT DO WE DO NEXT?
When you have agreed with the rector on a date and time for your Wedding Ceremony you will be asked to complete a form. This form acts as confirmation of the arrangements you have made. Then you can make the rest of your wedding arrangements in confidence. You will be contacted again nearer the wedding.
There are many more legal questions answered on the legal requirements page of yourchurchwedding.org.